Meli to make Salford switch

2nd July 2013

Former New Zealand international Francis Meli has become the third high-profile signing for ambitious Salford City Reds.

The 34-year-old winger, who is out of contract at St Helens at the end of the year, has signed a 12-month deal and will join Adrian Morley (Warrington Wolves) and Junior Sa'u (Melbourne) at the Salford City Stadium in 2014.

Meli has scored 140 tries from 215 appearances for Saints since joining them from the New Zealand Warriors.

A St Helens spokesman said: "We'd like to place on record our gratitude to Francis for his effort and commitment to the club since he signed in 2006.

"He has been a consummate professional and one of our strongest strike players in the Super League era. We're sure Francis will want to finish his Saints career on a high."

Salford chief executive Ed Farish confirmed the signing of Meli, who won 24 caps for the Kiwis, and added: "I expect there will be another two new faces shortly."

The Reds lost out in attempts to sign Bradford Bulls forward Elliott Whitehead, who joined Catalan Dragons instead, and Hull KR scrum-half Michael Dobson, who is returning to Australia.